Packers escape winless Saints

Week 4
September 30, 2012 - 3:25 p.m. - FOX
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Packers 28 - Saints 27

Photo credit: packers.com

One week after having a victory literally stolen from us, the Packers were able to squeak out a victory against the 0-3 New Orleans Saints.  Going into this game, the Saints were 0-3, however, they are a much better team than their record represents.  There were huge questions of how we would respond after the Seattle Seahawks game.  The first set of good news was the regular officials were back!  The first set of bad news was the Packers game had Jeff Triplette.  The second set of good news was the Packers offense appeared to start clicking again.  The second set of bad news was the Packers defense who was torched by Drew Brees and the Saints offense.

Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdowns in the first half and the Packers took a 21-7 lead late into the 2nd quarter.  The Saints scored a touchdown just before halftime and added 13 straight points in the 2nd half for 20 unanswered points to take a 27-21 lead in the 4th quarter.  The Packers had an opportunity to put points on the board in the 3rd quarter but Rodgers was poked in the eye which forced him to leave the game for a play.  The first play from scrimmage, backup quarterback Graham Harrell fumbled a handoff to Cedric Benson and the Saints recovered.  All the momentum the Saints built in the 3rd quarter was gaining more and more.  Soon after the turnover, Drew Brees threw an 80-yard touchdown pass that gave the Saints the lead for the first time.  It felt like this season just wasn't to be.  Then, midway through the 4th quarter, Rodgers led the Packers on a 4th quarter comeback rally with a 11-yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson with seven minutes left.

Photo credit: packers.com

Maybe the football gods were looking down on us when the Saints kicker Garrett Hartley lined up for a field goal attempt to give the Saints the lead.  Hartley made the 43-yard attempt, however, it was called back for holding.  After an encroachment on the Packers, Hartley then missed the 48-yard attempt!  Aaron Rodgers and James Jones closed out the game with a back-shoulder play to run out the clock.

One thing I won't forget to mention is the refs blowing another call.  It just feels at this point every call is going to go against us this season.  Darren Sproles fumbled the ball on a kick-off return, however, the refs ruled he was down by contact when the replay clearly shows he wasn't.  It didn't that the Packers didn't have any challenges remaining but still, the refs missed another one that could have contributed to another loss.  However, the Packers defeated the Saints and refs.

Certainly some concerns on defense as Drew Brees torched us for 446 yards passing and three touchdowns.  That's right, 446 yards.  *facepalm*

Chicago Bears  3-1
Minnesota Vikings  3-1
Green Bay Packers  2-2
Detroit Lions  1-3